The use of gender specific language in "The God Delusion"

In his book "The God Delusion", Richard Dawkins goes to much effort to argue that the English language all too often seems to exclude women. In support of his case he cites such examples as mankind, all men are created equal, one man one vote, etc. This argument is particularly amplified on page 140 of the paperback version.

Obviously, to an extent, he has a point. Nevertheless, he neglects to mention the standard English phrases which ,whilst excluding women, can hardly be said to favour men. Such phrases would include "man's inhumanity to his fellow man" and "the evil that men do".

Equally, there are many English phrases where the feminine is assumed for no reason that seems obvious like "mother earth" and "mother nature". Both these expressions would be construed to be positive rather than negative.

Dawkins is right when he says that some other languages are less gender specific in their general descriptions of the human race. For example the Russian word Человечество would be literally translated as human kind not mankind.

Commodore Clipper Fire Incident - My Experience

On the 16th June, I was unfortunate enough to be aboard the Commodore Clipper ferry when it caught fire in the English Channel. It was a very scary experience.

The alarm went off at 3 am in the morning and there was a message over the tannoy instructing all the passengers to go to the muster points. As you can imagine, I got up quicker than on any other occasion in my life.

On leaving my cabin, I found that the corridor was full of smoke. Upon arrival at the muster point, all the passengers were given life jackets and told to wait for instructions. There was some talk about putting us off in life boats. Fortunately after about 15 minutes we were told that the fire was under control and that we could return to our cabins. Hardly surprisingly, I did not try to return to sleep.

Initially, we were told that the ship would dock in Portsmouth an hour or so late. Unfortunately, this did not turn out to be the case. The ship was still full of smoke from the ongoing fire and the ferry had developed a slight list. Eventually, the steering became such a problem that the services of tugs were required to get the ship into Portsmouth. The drama continued with a harbour pilot being dropped onto the ferry by helicopter.

The ferry eventually reached Portsmouth a few hours late and we were informed that we could leave the ship after the fire brigade had put out the fire. I thought that this would only take an hour or so but we were not allowed off the ferry until 10.30 pm at night. When I saw the burnt out wrecks of several containers, I realised the fire had been very severe and could see why the fire brigade needed so much time.

Upon disembarking, Conder Ferries took us to an excellent hotel at Liphook for the night. They even threw in a free beer which was much needed after the events of the previous 24 hours. The conduct of the crew was exemplary throughout this incident. They directed us well during the initial incident and kept us plied with food throughout the remainder of our time onboard.

Subsequent to the incident, I was compensated by Conder Ferries for having to buy a replacement railway ticket as my onward journey was delayed by 24 hours. I also asked to be compensated for the actual delay and inconvenience. Conder's own web site suggested that such a late arrival would normally result in recompense for part of the ferry ticket price. I have not received anything for that part of my claim and they have not replied to my last letter which was sent to them about six weeks ago.

Overall, the fire and its aftermath was quite an experience though one I would not care to repeat in a hurry. The passengers remained largely in good spirits throughout and the crew are to be complimented for their support and service.

The Eldorado Exploring Expedition

I have recently finished reading Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness". On the whole, it is a very good read but I was left a little bemused by the narrator's strength of desire to meet Kurz. No man is that inspired by someone they have never met or seen. Perhaps people in the 19th century thought in a very different way to us today. Nevertheless, the brief appearance of the Eldorado Exploring Expedition left a very strong impression.

The very name of the expedition suggests a tawdry search for treasure with no accompanying wish to genuinely explore or add to mankind's knowledge of this remote part of Africa. Conrad describes the arrival of the expedition in the camp as a visitation and even an infliction. There was no honour amongst these men. Their only interest was personal gain.

Superficially their preparations for the journey into the depths of the jungle seem impressive. There were tents and boxes and stools and many other items from a half decent 19th century camping shop. All the sorts of things that an inexperienced adventurer would think of were thought of but there is no hint that the expedition was morally prepared or that their material preparations would prove adequate.

The demise of the expedition is only hinted at. The wilderness is described as "patient" in its wait for the start of the expedition. When the explorers enter the jungle, the wilderness closed upon it in the manner in which an ocean closes over a diver. There would be no suggestion that they had ever been there. We are told that the donkeys died but the fate of the men which we can assume are included among "the less valuable animals" is not descibed. Chillingly, Conrad says that they probably found what they deserved.

Rarely has man's greedy but ultimately puny attempts to master the environment for his own ends been so succinctly yet so brilliantly described.

Two women must not get into the lift with one man!

I saw this sign in a lift in Nuremburg in Germany. It would seem to suggest from the picture that two women and one man should not be in the lift at the same time. No other hazard appears to be identified. I am tempted to think that the Germans fear some sort of orgy in the elevator. In fact, the sign is supposed to indicate that you should not travel in the lift during a fire. You would never guess that from the sign. As I don't speak German, I was totally nonplussed.

A new but very small conservatory

A short video of my new conservatory. Unfortunately, I read the external measurements as the internal measurements. In other words, another cock up...

Irina in the gardens near Sevastopol (2005)

A short video of my erstwhile friend, Irina, in a botanical garden near Sevastopol. Happy days, alas, no more

SCATTERBECK TROUGH MONUMENT

On the road between Lazonby and Great Salkeld, in the Eden Valley, can be found this unusual and little known monument. The monument is sited at the side of the road at Scatterbeck which is about halfway between the two villages.

It was originally a water trough though it has not worked for many years. The trough was built to celebrate the coronation of Edward VII in 1902 and to mark the slackening of the grade of the road at Scatterbeck by Cumberland County Council. The location is very pleasant with overhanging trees and the picturesque houses of Scatterbeck as a backdrop.